Legion of Mary

Introduction to the Legion of Mary

About

The Legion of Mary is a Catholic lay organisation that was founded in Ireland in 1921 by Venerable Edel Quinn (1907-1944). The object of the organisation is the sanctification of its members through cooperation with God's grace and through modeling themselves after His holy mother. The unit of the Legion of Mary is called a praesidium. The praesidium holds a weekly meeting for prayer, reports, and discussion.

Name and Origin

The Legion of Mary is an Association of Catholics, who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of all Graces (who is fair as the moon, bright as the sun and - to Satan and his legionaries - terrible as an army set in battle array), have formed themselves into a Legion for service in the warfare which is perpetually waged by the Church against the world and its evil powers.

The Legionaries hope to render themselves worthy of their great heavenly Queen by their loyalty , their virtues , and their courage. The Legion of Mary is therefore organised on the model of an army, principally on that of the army of ancient Rome, the nomenclature of which is adopted also - but the army and the arms of Legionaries of Mary are not of this world.

Object

The object of the Legion of Mary is the sanctification of its members by prayer and active co-operation, under ecclesiastical guidance, in Mary's and the Church's work of crushing the head of the serpent and advancing the reign of Christ.